Chris Packham denounced after urging Barclays customers to set themselves on fire

BBC presenter Chris Packham has been criticised publicly by the Countryside Alliance after he was recorded on camera telling people who bank with Barclays to stick their heads in a bucket of petrol and set themselves on fire.

The 63-year-old Springwatch and Earth host made the comments at an Action for Wildlife Day event in Derbyshire.

The animal rights activist, who currently remains President of the RSPCA and Vice- President of the RSPB , urged people not to bank with financial institutions that invest in “fossil fuels, weapons and poverty”.

Speaking on a stage at the event alongside fellow Wild Justice founders, Mark Avery and Ruth Tingay, earlier this month at Carsington in the Derbyshire Dales, he said: “But, if anyone here is banking with Barclays, then, I suggest you stick your head in a bucket of fuel and set fire to it because you’re burning our planet down. And, it’s time to put this stuff behind us.”

Tim Bonner, the chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said:

“It appears that in an increasingly desperate bid to stay in the media spotlight, Mr Packham is resorting to saying more and more bizarre and outlandish things to get noticed.

“Few are taking much notice, but it does pose serious questions for the RSPB, RSPCA and BBC about how much longer they can justify turning a blind eye to this behaviour, while allowing him to continue playing a significant role in representing them on the national stage and in family-friendly broadcasting.

“The respectability of all three organisations is on the line”.

Asked by the Telegraph for their response on Mr Packham’s outburst, a BBC spokesman said:

“Chris Packham is a freelancer, not a member of staff, and he’s not currently on air. His private activities and views are his own, not the BBC’s.”

As well as Wild Justice, Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion were also at the Action for Wildlife Day gathering, which was born out of an event called Hen Harrier Day.

Mr Packham’s growing list of controversies are making it harder for both the RSPCA and RSPB to ignore. Earlier this year, he told a court he “selectively” supports Just Stop Oil. He has also defended climate activists’ “right” to target MP’s homes as long as their actions were “peaceful and non-violent”.

Last year, he was removed as patron of bird charity, Raptor Rescue, for becoming “too political” and doing no work for the organisation.